How to Deal with a Bad Appraisal

It’s that time of the year again when you would have received the much awaited appraisal letter…. For some, it would be a sheer delight but for some a heartbreak! So, what do you plan to do? Just sit back and pine? Or twiddle with the thought of barging into your boss’ cabin and demand a reply? Or simply quit your job?

A negative appraisal surely leaves a sour taste, but does not imply failure, provided you know how to react. The natural instinct makes you angry and frustrated. But the idea is to stay calm and get a grip on your emotions. Receiving a negative appraisal can unnerve you a bit but it can also help you identify and defeat the hurdles in your career path.

So here are few tips for turning a negative into a positive:

Stay Calm:

The toughest thing is getting past your emotions! Criticism often evokes extreme reactions and when it’s about something as personal as your work, it’s natural to become defensive. Try to be logical and sensible- that is what will get you out of there. Lashing out at your manager will swiftly turn a challenge into a crisis! So take a minute and collect your thoughts. If you want to proactively do something about it, it is best to take it up with your immediate manager.

Assess yourself objectively:

Ranting and raving will get you nowhere! Most of us don’t really get a bad appraisal without some valid reason for the same. Be realistic and assess yourself objectively and think of areas where you could actually improve. Acknowledge the areas where you feel you didn’t perform and pick your battle for the areas where you feel the manager has been unreasonable.

Clarify doubts:

It is significant to comprehend criticism, whether you agree with it or not. And if you don’t, then discuss with your boss and ask for details if you feel something is vague. And try to get exact instances, explaining that you want to understand their observations better, not defy them. If needed, correct genuine errors that your manager might have made in your review by giving quantifiable data. But don’t be defensive and give pointers to support yourself.

How to go about it?

The best way to deal with a poor appraisal is to first have an honest frame of mind and then introspect your performance vis-à-vis the targets. A discussion with your boss can surely help you put things in perspective and help you understand your appraisal better. For instance, you might have met your quantitative targets but not the qualitative ones. If there is a huge gap between your judgment of yourself and your supervisor’s assessment, it’s time for a reality check. Try and take the negative remarks as constructive criticism and use this as an opportunity to improve. A bad appraisal is not the end of your stint in the organization. Take it as a challenge and push yourself to better your performance next year.

Plan a strategy:

Actions speak louder than words! Develop a strategy which translates your crucial evaluations into exact actions. For example: If you are blamed for not meeting deadlines, reschedule your calendar and reorganize your every day priorities. Once this is set, tell your boss about it. This might ease their concerns and also involve them in your approach. Also ask for constructive feedback. Bosses are forever busy and don’t generally have the time to appreciate you of your good work. The bad stuff needs fixing but the good stuff shouldn’t slither by unnoticed! So, if you feel like your appraisal was all negative, just ask your boss about things that went well that year. That will not only remind him of the good stuff you’ve done but also give you a small shot of self-confidence in the course!

An honest appraisal can help you identify and conquer obstacles that have been holding you back. Accept the positive criticism and work towards addressing it. You will definitely give yourself a higher chance of getting a stronger review the next time around.

Interview Mines to Avoid

An interview is the perfect opportunity to present the very best version of yourself and convince employers why you’re the right person for the job. In actuality, this high-pressure experience can induce all kinds of weird behavior and gaffes.

Job interviews can be an excruciating, with most of us finding ourselves bumbling and stumbling through them. However, if one focuses on the significant things, they can feel relaxed and more in control of the situation.

Here we share some of the common interview mistakes that you can avoid to clinch the best possible deal:

You are late, dude!

Arrive at least ten minutes before the interview starts. After maneuvering your way via a private or public transport, it is most likely that your hair and clothes don’t stay in pristine shape. Arriving early for your interview gives you a chance to make sure you know where you are going. It also gives you enough time to settle in, get calm and collected before entering the company doors.

Dressing sloppily

Dressing for success is a common saying but most of us often take it lightly. If you think you can never go wrong with an elegant suit and polished shoes then think again! While a suit is normally preferred in a serious industry like Finance, it could appear as stifling and boring in a creative media company. So the idea is to dress according to the job you are applying to. It’s better to verify the dress code prior to the interview. Be presentable- show up in neat professional clothes. Dress on the conservative side and avoid wearing anything distracting and jazzy.

Not being prepared

This interview could be an important landmark in your career so reread your resume and the job description just before the interview. You would be amazed to know how many people forget what they write in their resumes. Also, know the job description well so that you can draw on your experiences, strengths and skills and connect them with the needs of the employer. Emphasize on how you are perfect for the job. Make sure you carry with you everything you have been asked for, like your important educational certificates as well as your personal portfolio.

Failing to research the company

Nothing spells lack of interest like a candidate who hasn’t done a pre-interview research. On the flick side, the best way to impress your employer is to display your interest with a few well thought out questions that echo your acquaintance with the organization.

Discussing salary way to soon

Don’t jump the gun regarding the salary. The right time to discuss your compensation is when a concrete offer is on the table. Don’t bring up the issue prematurely. You might hurt your chances of getting the job. The subject will come up inevitably but let your employer raise it, which will typically take place in the second round. Once the topic is raised, you can ask whether it’s open to discussion and what benefits come along with it.

Lack of self-confidence and eagerness

Lack of self-confidence can be a huge turn off. If you come across as too edgy, it might appear that you are not confident enough. If you really want the job, you have to sell yourself to the employer. Sound interested and excited for the job prospect. Maintain eye contact, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and smile and show general courtesy. You don’t have to blabber in the interview. Make sure to ask few intelligent questions as interviews are an exchange of information, and not coming in with questions shows that you are not prepared enough.

No follow up

A thank-you or a polite email to the interviewer is the perfect way of expressing gratitude for their consideration and time. And while you don’t want to call the company every other day, it’s is ok to check on them once in a week after the interview.

Avoid these and give yourself a genuine shot at a second round interview. Good luck!

Keeping Up at Work with Generation Y

In an increasingly aggressive job market, staying relevant is no longer a choice but a necessity! Over the last couple of years, workplaces have undergone both subtle and radical changes. From technical advancement to the arrival of Generation Y, the career backdrop has changed considerably. Gone are the days of ‘deadwoods’ or employees who merely went through the motions of their jobs. These days, employers look for people who continuously add value to their organizations.

But what should employees do to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world of work? Well… staying relevant in the workplace requires planning and reinventing of oneself. It starts with finding a job that you are passionate about. If you love what you are doing then improving your knowledge and skills comes naturally to you! And staying relevant doesn’t become a chore but an instinctive progression.

So here are some pointers for knowing the pulse of your industry and keeping your skills fresh:

Always be eager to learn:

The eagerness to learn is the most important quality needed to succeed in your career. Embrace learning as a lifestyle! Read journals, articles and anything you can get your hands on related to your career and industry you work in. Try and carve out an hour a week to read the latest career and industry news. Learn by reading, asking questions and by experimenting. Learn by whatever method you prefer to benefit and motivate yourself in your overall general and career well-being.

Know the dynamics of your industry:

Myopia serves no one! Keep yourself abreast with the latest developments both in your company and outside so that you are in the best position to know if your own techniques are favorable. Try understanding the bigger picture. Remember it’s not just about capability, it’s about the best possible performance and merely “competent” players are forever in the risk of being rendered redundant by professionals who have optimized performances and have carved a place by redefining or raising the bar.

Verify the needs of your clients regularly:

Just as the world is continuously changing so are the needs of your clients over the time. Most clients don’t tell you what becomes immaterial to them or no longer meets their requirements. Make sure to survey your clients to ask what they’d like you to stop, start, and continue doing for them.

Know your competitors well:

Knowing the latest products your competitors are offering or developing is another great way to make yourself and possibly your entire organization relevant. We are not talking about corporate espionage but a quick Internet search will most likely give you the answers you want.

Network through social media

We constantly hear that in today’s time “who” we know is as significant as “what” we know. So join online professional groups and use the latest forms of social media to stay on top of things. Try and be actively present on these business groups and pages and start creating an online name for yourself as an “expert” on certain topics. You will not only connect with like minded people but also pick up fresh business insights which would serve you well in your own job.

Look at the bigger picture:

Taking out time to sit back at frequent gaps and tracking your own progression to know if your performance and professional growth tangent are as they should be is also the key. From the very start you should chart your individual growth plan. It should include short term and long-term goals and ways to expand your skill sets and achieve all the major and minor milestones along the way.

The world is evolving so fast that one can become irrelevant in the blink of an eye. Staying relevant is a constant learning curve. There’s always some young gun right behind you armed with the latest training and technology to usurp you. Proactively managing your career and staying relevant takes effort and dedication. But the benefits and rewards of increased job satisfaction and development are well worth it.

It's Unusual But.. You can Find a Job you Love!

We spend about one third of our lives working so finding a job that we truly love becomes extremely important for our general well being. But if you are amongst those who are miserable in their jobs or who have the frequent nagging feeling that your job and self are out of alignment, then you are not alone! One of the toughest things about finding a job that you love is identifying what really makes you happy and what you are actually good at. The tricky part for most people is conquering the fear of change and negotiating the labyrinth of choices, particularly in a tough economy!

So here are few realistic steps to help you tame this fear and find the job that you love:

Being confused is perfectly normal:

Firstly, a soothing thought: Confusion about career choices is absolutely normal. We often become so nervous about making the wrong selection that we end up making no choice at all. Psychologists call this the “paradox of choices”: several options leading to decision paralysis! Then add to this the integral repugnance to risk. Humans have the innate ability to magnify everything that can possibly go haywire. So one needs to realize that confusion is normal and get ready to look beyond it.

Reflect on your current work

Most people switch jobs to get away from bad situations. However, before you start hunting for a new job, think about what you don’t like about your existing one. Is it the actual work, the surroundings, your colleagues or your boss? If you actually enjoy your work then look for a similar role at a different company. But, if you hate your work itself, it’s time to think of an entirely new career field.

Tune into your interests and passion:

The single wisest piece of career advice was offered thousands of years ago when Aristotle stated, “Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation.” And he would have definitely endorsed the modern research findings which show that those chasing status and money are not likely to feel content. So, the best option is to search for the right career, which focuses on issues and values that matter to you, and which also lets you to do something that you’re really good at.

Dare to be different:

Each one of us has special gifts and talents. Don’t write off your love for talking to strangers at social gatherings or your inclination for chalking out plans or your flair for organizing parties. These are all profitable talents and rarer than you might think. Try combining what you naturally enjoy doing and use them as a starting point to explore areas you find exciting. Something like planning an event for a social butterfly or consulting for a business freak? Just dare to be different, do your research and try some innovative combinations. You never know when a stylish art space might be looking for a financial expert!

Tread carefully:

Many a times, we aren’t too sure of what we like and what we don’t. We haven’t tested our abilities enough to make a good decision. There’s so much we can do to find the career that we love that it often becomes overwhelming. So, go slow and avoid doing too many things in different directions! Start with making a coffee rendezvous with an exciting new contact or scheduling an unofficial interview with your dream organization. And who knows—you might end up spending time with a future boss or co-worker.

Network your way through:

You have shortlisted the jobs that you love but you just can’t get through them! Here, networking comes in handy. Wake up the network of people you know and find a link that might fix up the interview you are keen on. Most companies are keen on referrals. So, just go through your network of family and friends and find a common link.

Taking the decision to follow your dream can sometimes be tougher than actually achieving it. So do some research, have self-confidence and a positive attitude and find out about the first steps you need to take — and then take them!

Calling it Quits...

“I hate my job!” This common place phrase is uttered by irked employees almost everywhere in offices. Sometimes, you just know that your job isn’t right for you. The vagueness of it all blinks at you like a massive neon light from the minute you walk into your workplace every morning. Other times it’s a little subtle. It doesn’t reach out and grab your attention but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there!

All of us have been in a wrong job before where we come in everyday just to keep our heads above the water and not get noticed for being incompetent. Disillusionment seeps in swiftly as a job plays out day to day. You realize that your responsibilities don’t mesh well with your personality or talents. But how can you tell when it’s the right time to call it a day? Quitting a job can have a negative impact on your career and can upset your personal life. But staying in an undesirable situation could be worse!

So here are some early warning signs that tell you’re ready for a new job:

You are constantly ‘Bored’ at work:

If boring becomes your favorite word at work and re-tweeting posts or updating your status on Facebook are the only exciting things that you do during the day, it’s time to update your resume. At times, things get a little slow when you’re just learning the ropes, but if the inactivity persists, you need to think about the situation and your career seriously.

Resentment & constant Irritation:

You keep telling yourself that you’ll give up but you never do. This is an indication that you are not completely satisfied with your existing role and this series of “false starts’’ is a sign of something much bigger. Be honest with yourself! Are you frustrated on a regular basis? Do you resent your boss or teammates? If so, don’t let risk-aversion fright you from pursuing an unexplored path or begin a new career.

Your skills are not valued:

You have certain qualities, skills and quirks you are proud of but don’t have the opportunity to use them at work. Or maybe you don’t derive any contentment from what you do at work. Let’s say you are a people’s person who prides yourself for your communication skills but are stuck in a place where the only interaction you have is with your computer! This disconnect between your work and your skills can be pretty demoralizing and its more likely that you are wasting your time and talent at the wrong place.

You have reached a dead end:

Employment is a two-way road and a lot of times people are simply chasing the dollar and compromising on their abilities, intelligence and personal aspirations for a quick buck! Of all the things that can go possibly go wrong with your job, the feeling as if you’re not growing is the most dangerous one. The market is evolving each day, and unless you are growing, too, you run the risk of becoming obsolete. That means it is certainly time to run, not walk, toward new opportunities! While still working, start looking for options or if changing your job is not practical, speak to your manager and voice your professional needs. Be precise as to what you want and be confident to back it up with strong reasons as to why you want what you are asking for. Most managers are very conservative, but with a good “why”, you can surely turn things around in your favor.

If you’re hanging onto a career or job because of the time and money you’ve invested then the first thing you should do is let reality sink in. It’s easy to find yourself on the wrong career path! When that happens, the solution is to stay vigilant for the warning signs, watch for the signposts, learn from those unavoidable detours, get directions, and then slowly start inching your way towards the right career path!

How to Escape the "Overqualified" Label

Sometimes employers say it on your face; other times you feel it lurking right behind you. That scary label: overqualified! Being labeled as “overqualified” is a crisis that any job seeker can encounter at any point of their career. The tag is applied in situations where the background-education, salary or experience is well beyond what the position actually requires. An overqualified candidate raises numerous red flags with hiring managers. They might question why you’re ready to take a step down and whether you’ll jump the ship as soon as something better comes along. If they think you’re applying for a job because you’re keen to take any offer, you’ll be swiftly passed over! The last thing a company wants to do is hire and invest in somebody who isn’t keen to stick around for long or not perform the expected responsibilities.

There are no set rules about being labeled overqualified. The so-called over qualification is just a perception or version of the potential employer who questions one’s fit for the opening. The lingering questions however are- how can a labeled candidate conquer the concerns of a hiring manager? And if the issue comes up during an interview, how can one handle it tactfully?

Here are some tips to break down the barriers and get a job when you are overqualified or perceived to be:

Wearing your attitude right:

If you are applying for a job for which you are overqualified and are lucky enough to land an interview, go with an open mind and understand that every opening is your door to a new opportunity. To start with, the hiring manager shouldn’t feel threatened by your expertise! And for this where your attitude plays a big role in it! You have to show your keenness for the job and emphasize your interest in learning new things and performing all kinds of tasks. Portray that no job is small enough and that in fact the new job will allow you to get more involved in the day-to-day operations.

Downplaying your resume:

In such a scenario, it always better to “soften” your resume a bit! You’ve most likely heard that tweaking your resume for every position you apply for is the right thing to do. Well a lower level position is no different. So focus on the skills only which are required for the job you’re applying for. You don’t have to make a laundry list of all of your management skills and experience since it’s probably not relevant. You might want to tone down job titles as well, since they are fairly flexible. You have to create the perfect image of yourself as the right fit for the job.

Avoid highlighting compensation specifications:

One of the fears of hiring an overqualified candidate is that they would cost too much! So minimize the fear of the hiring manager and show flexibility as far as your salary is concerned. This doesn’t mean abandoning your salary target goal but projecting that money is not the primary factor in your present job search. And if you’re as good as you think you are, your salary will eventually catch up to your credentials.

Turning the tables:

Be ready when your interviewer asks if you feel you’re overqualified. What the question actually means is “Are you a good fit for us?” Your best line of attack is to turn the question around. Ask what their perfect applicant looks like, and prove how you fit that depiction. It’s an extremely positive move which will reframe the conversation and start a discussion where you’ll be able to give instances of your relevant experience.

Being labeled as overqualified is not a job-killer! The fact that you’re competent enough to tackle such a tricky issue without being flustered will most likely turn it into a friendly exchange and will help you build a healthy rapport with the decision-maker.

The Panel Interview...How to Handle it!

For an anxious job seeker, nothing can be more alarming and intimidating than a panel job interview! If your palm begins to sweat and twitch before a one-on-one interview, you can imagine your plight when a prospective employer informs you that you’ll be meeting with not one, but five people—all at the same time! Panel interviews can take you by surprise, but a growing number of companies are using them to effectively find candidates and expedite the interview process.

However, the reason behind conducting panel interviews is not to intimidate you; rather, it’s a time-saving technique to meet with people that you are most likely to interact with in the new organization and collect their thoughts all at once. An invite to attend a panel interview in fact signifies that you are a top contender as such interviews are typically the final step in the hiring process. In reality, you stand an excellent chance of getting the offer.

So, read the following survival tips to feel more in control while facing a group interview:

Acknowledge everyone in the room:

Sometimes, panel interviews are more of a peer interview. The main goal of the potential employer is to see how you would intermingle and “fit-in” as a new team member. So focus on the chemistry and connect with all individuals on a personal level. Remember to look at each person while introducing yourself. If possible, do a bit of research and find out the names of every Interviewer. You can also check out company website for photos. You are likely to feel less intimidated if you walk into a room already being able to put faces to the names.

Build a rapport with the entire panel:

Building a rapport with several evaluators becomes difficult at times but it is definitely not impossible. So, while fielding questions, avoid gazing at a single person as this can make you look more “frozen”! Instead, relax and smile, and open your gaze to the others in the room. Even when a single person in the group asks you a question, look around at the others while answering it. Doing this will make you look confident and also help you build a rapport with the entire panel at the same time.

Gear up for follow-up questions:

Beyond the fast pace, this kind of interview also typically evokes a lot of follow-up questions than usual. Multiple panelists mean multiple perspectives—and what might satisfy one interviewer may spark extra inquiries from the others. So make sure you’re equipped with several anecdotes and examples to explain your experience and background. There can be some awkward moments of silence as well when you have several people asking questions. Don’t let that bother you. Avoid filling up the dead spots with words, you are better off just sitting tight and waiting for the subsequent questions.

Know your stuff:

Avoid embarrassment of any sorts by familiarizing yourself with industry jargon. Check out the website of the company and business magazines for clues. If there are terminologies you’re not acquainted with, learn what they mean and use them in context. It’s absolutely acceptable to carry your own set of notes to ask the panelists. You can also keep reminder notes to prompt you if you actually get stuck for words. But remember they are for emergency only! If you find yourself overwhelmed or tongue-tied, a quick glance at them can help you refocus. Sometimes, simply knowing they are there can help you relax!

Remember your Thank You!

If you are given business cards of every single panelist, then you must follow up with a personal thank you note for each. This is vital as it can leave a great lasting impression!

Don’t dread panel interviews! Instead see them as a constructive opportunity. Stay composed, be honest and answer questions as best as you can. Then, breathe a sigh of relief—that you survived!